Variable speed transmission

ABSTRACT

By incorporating an infinitely adjustable, variable speed transmission unit into a bicycle driving mechanism, it becomes possible to vary the speed of the bicycle in a very easy and continuous manner from any predetermined maximum value of rotation in the forward direction to zero. By using a similar, infinitely adjustable, variable speed transmission unit in combination with a standard, two speed and reverse gear box, a very efficient automotive transmission system is also achieved, having a stepless speed control with a large power input.

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 07/536,738filed Jun. 12, 1990 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,936 on Jun. 11,1992, which is a continuation in part application of Ser. No.07/388,863, filed Aug. 3, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuationin part application of Ser. No. 07/293,422, filed Jan. 4, 1989, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally concerned with power transmissionsfor use in bicycles and motor vehicles, and more particularly with theincorporation of an infinitely adjustable, variable speed transmissionunit into a bicycle driving mechanism or an automotive transmissionsystem.

b) Brief Description of the Prior Art

Most power sources such as electric motors or internal combustionengines are designed to operate at fixed rotational speeds or within alimited speed range. However, the final application of the driving powermay be at a different speed or may require a range of speeds. This isnormally accomplished by the use of a gear reducer with fixed elementsand a fixed output speed, or, in the case of an automotive drive, a gearbox with several fixed gear combinations (usually 4 or 5) which allowfor several steps in speed reduction.

Different devices have already been proposed, which provide speedadjustment over a smooth curve between the limits required for thedriven equipment, thereby providing for the most efficient use of theapplied power, and perfect control.

A first speed adjusting device of the above mentioned type is presentlyin use, and comprises variable pitch pulleys connected by an endlessbelt. This first device is efficient but has a limited range of speedvariation.

A second speed adjusting device of the above mentioned type which isalso presently in use, comprises friction drives whose respectivepositions can be varied to vary the speed. This device is also operativebut friction drives are known to be wasteful of power and not capable oftransmitting large loads.

A third speed adjusting device of the above mentioned type which is alsoin use, consist of a hydraulic transmission comprising a hydraulic pumpand a motor, or a hydraulic clutch, in which large amounts of power arewasted in fluid friction to obtain the benefits of speed control.

A fourth speed adjusting device of the above mentioned type, which, tothe Applicant's knowledge, is presently not in use anywhere, has alsobeen suggested in some patents, including, by way of examples, U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,745,297 (ANDRUS); 2,755,683 (RYAN); 3,251,243 (KRESS); 3,503,279(SIEVERT et al); 3,861,485 (BUSCH); 4,599,916 (HIROSAWA); 4,546,673(SHIGEMATSU et al); 4,644,820 (MACEY et al) and 4,672,861 (LANZER).

The speed adjusting devices disclosed in these patents each comprise afirst shaft, a sun gear fixed to the first shaft, at least two planetarypinions meshed with the sun gear, these pinions being freely mounted onspindles forming part of a pinion carrier, and a second shaft keyed to apinion carrier, this second shaft being coaxial with the first one.

In addition to this basic structure, the variable speed adjustingdevices disclosed in the above patents each comprise a ring gear freelymounted on any of the first and second shafts, this ring gear extendingover and meshing with the planetary pinions. This ring gear isoperatively connected to a countershaft pinion keyed to a countershaftwhich extends parallel to the first shaft, and a speed variatingmechanism which can be of any type, is mounted between the first shaftand the countershaft to adjustably vary the relative speed of thecountershaft and first shaft.

When, on the one hand, the ring gear is directly meshed with thecountershaft pinion or is operatively connected thereto through such aneven number of intermediate gears and/or belts so that they rotate inopposite directions, the entire output power or any part of it that is"diverted" to the ring gear through the planetary gears, is fed back tothe first shaft via the countershaft and the speed variating mechanism.As a result, any adjustment of the speed variating mechanism to causethe countershaft to rotate at a given speed or no speed relative to thefirst shaft provides a corresponding positive adjustment of the speed ofthe first shaft relative to the speed of the second shaft. Assuming thatthe power input shaft is the first one and this first shaft is driven atconstant speed, the speed of the output shaft, i.e. the second shaft,will thus be adjustable from a predetermined maximum value in onerotational direction to zero and even to another predetermined maximumvalue in the other direction (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,297to ANDRUS).

When, on the other hand, the control gear is operatively connected tothe countershaft through one or any odd number of intermediate gearsand/or high torque drive belts or chains so that they rotate in the samedirection, the input power is split into two streams merging on thepinion carrier and the second shaft, one "passing" through thecountershaft and the ring gear, the other directly through the sun gear.As a result, less power is transmitted through the speed variatingmechanism, thereby making it possible to achieve the same functions asany conventional synchro-mesh gear box with a similar, large power inputbut a smaller speed variator power load and a much smaller number ofparts and gears.

In both cases, the speed variating mechanism may comprise a pair ofconical pulleys respectively mounted onto the drive shaft andcountershaft in a head-to-foot position, with an endless beltfrictionally mounted onto the pulleys. Sliding of the belt over thelength of the conical pulleys permits to obtain the requested adjustment(see U.S. Pat. No. 2,755,683 to RYAN).

More preferably however, the speed variating mechanism may comprise apair of pulleys respectively mounted onto the drive shaft and thecountershaft in such a manner as to extend in the same plane, with atleast one of the pulleys consisting of a variable pitch sheave, and anendless belt mounted onto the pulleys. Adjustment of the pitch of one orboth of the variable sheaves permits to obtain the requested adjustmentof the relative speed of the first shaft and countershaft (see, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,297 to ANDRUS, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,279to SIEVERT et al).

The speed variating mechanism may further consist of a hydraulicvariable speed drive or a standard, variable motor (see, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,673 to SHIGEMATSU et al).

Although the above mentioned patents clearly show that different devicesof the fourth type disclosed hereinabove having different structuresand/or configurations of planetary gears and variators, have beenproposed in the past, none of these devices is presently in commercialuse in transmission systems, essentially because none of them has metthe basic requirements for any speed variating device to be useful in atransmission, namely to be capable of varying speed with the variatoroperating within a practical (i.e. minimum) range, and to bemechanically efficient.

To the Applicant's opinion, this lack of practicality and efficiency ofthe known devices of the fourth type disclosed hereinabove comes fromthe general belief that in such devices, whatever be their "design", aportion of the power flows from the driving means (i.e. motor or engine)through the drive shaft, sun gear and planetary gears, and anotherportion flows through the variator to the countershaft, ring gear, andplanetary gears, both of these portions recombining to form the outputpower to the output shaft. In practice, this is not true and this beliefis clearly wrong in the case of the device shown in the ANDRUS U.S. Pat.No. 2,745,297, where the control gear is directly connected to thecountershaft pinion. Indeed, in such a case, all the power istransmitted through the sun gear to the planetary gears, and the portionof this power (which can be designated as circulating power) istransmitted to the ring gear and from the countershaft to the variator,and thence back to the main drive shaft and sun gear. The power thentransmitted by the sun gear to the planetary gears is thus equal to thesum of the output power plus the circulating power plus the mechanicallosses in the system.

This particularity makes the system efficiency very critical, and unlessall of the structural components of the system are mathematicallyproportioned to minimize the mechanical losses, the overall efficiencyof power transfer is too low to be acceptable for practical use. Thisparticularity is of course critical to the design of any practicalsystem and has been ignored in the early proposals to commercializecontrolled planetary transmission systems.

The Applicant has investigated these problems and found by thoroughmathematical analysis that, in order to overcome the deficiencies of theearlier designs, it is compulsory that the ratio of the radius of thesun gear to the radius of the planetary gears be kept within a veryspecific range. The basic formula for speed relationship between variouselements of the unit is: ##EQU1## wherein N_(d) is the rotational speedof the drive shaft (rpm);

N_(R) is the rotational speed of the ring gear (rpm);

N_(A) is the rotational speed of the output shaft (rpm)

r_(p) is the pitch radius of the planetary gear or pinion (ft);

r_(d) is the pitch radius of the sun gear (ft);

r_(A) is the distance from the center of the drive shaft to the centerof the planetary gears (ft); and

r_(R) is the pitch radius of the ring gear (internal).

The basic formula for the calculation of the circulating power, viz. thepower which must be transmitted by the variator is: ##EQU2##

The circulating power can be several times as great as the transmittedpower, depending on output speed and torque. As this power must betransmitted by belt, and the maximum circulating power occurs at theminimum output speed, which is when the variator is in the positionwhere the pulley diameter is the smallest, it is essential to design thesystem with the minimum variation in the pulley diameters over thechosen range of speed. This is essential if the power is to betransmitted without belt slip, or breakage. If one plots various valuesof r_(p) /r_(d) versus N_(d) /n_(R) (which is the ratio of the driveshaft speed to the ring gear (or countershaft speed) which isessentially the variator pulley ratio, one can find that the lower isthe ratio r_(p) /r_(d), the smaller is the variator ratio, which givesthe best power transmission possibilities. Since as demonstratedhereinabove the variator is affected by the ring gear speed ratios, thenecessity to retain the lowest practical ratio r_(p) /r_(d) is evident,as this gives the minimum change in ring gear speeds and variator ratio.

In practice, it has been found that a good practical value for r_(p)/r_(d) considering the problem of a practical gear diameter toaccommodate the countershaft is 0.5, which gives a variator ratio of2:1. This has been found as the most suitable design condition to allowfor transmission of maximum power. Lower r_(p) /r_(d) ratios as low as0.3 may however be used for smaller power loads.

In investigating these problems, the Applicant has also found thatanother feature which is very important in practical design is thediameter of the ring gear which governs the overall size of the unit.

By way of example, the device disclosed in the ANDRUS U.S. Pat. No.2,745,297 used an internal ring gear with an external gear on theoutside of the internal gear, this external gear acting as control gearand meshing with the countershaft pinion. This increases the overalldiameter of the unit, and by fixing the size of the external gear, doesnot allow any flexibility in the design of the connection between ringgear and countershaft (since it fixes the distance between the two).

An easy way of solving this problem, which is used in the presentinvention, consists in using a control gear which is separate from, andyet rigidly connected to the ring gear. The control gear diameter andwidth may be as large or small as desired, and provides completeflexibility for the design of the connection to the countershaft, andfor the distance between the two shafts, thereby making it possible toaccommodate any practical design for the variator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide a variable speedtransmission device or unit of the fourth type disclosed hereinabove,whose structural components are mathematically proportioned to minimizemechanical looses and thus make it highly efficient, and to use such aunit as a speed ratio varying means in a bicycle, in lieu of thestandard, gear-change mechanism commonly used in any multiple speedbicycle.

Due to its basic structure, the improved variable speed transmissionunit used in accordance with the invention makes it possible to vary thespeed of the bicycle in a very easy and continuous manner from anypredetermined maximum value of rotation in the forward direction to 0.In other words, the speed of the bicycle may be varied in an infinitemanner between a set of predetermined values in the forward direction,while the bicycle is running.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvariable speed transmission unit of the same type as disclosedhereinabove and to use this unit in an automotive transmission systemtogether with a standard, two-speed and reverse gear box in order toachieve stepless speed control with a large power input.

More particularly, the present invention proposes an improved bicyclecomprising a crank-gear, a rear hub sprocket, chain means fortransmitting power from the crank-gear to the rear hub sprocket andmeans for varying the speed ratio of the crank-gear to the rear hubsprocket, wherein these speed ratio varying means consists of aninfinitely adjustable, variable speed transmission unit comprising:

a first shaft operatively connected to, and driven by the crank shaft;

a sun gear fixed to the first shaft;

at least two planetary pinions meshed with the sun gear, the planetarypinions being freely mounted onto spindles forming part of a pinioncarrier;

a second shaft keyed to the pinion carrier, the second shaft beingcoaxial with the first one;

an output sprocket keyed onto the first shaft, the output sprocket beingoperatively connected to the rear hub sprocket by a chain forming partof the chain means;

a ring gear freely mounted onto any of the first and second shafts, thering gear extending over and meshing with the planetary pinions;

a control gear fixed to the ring gear;

a countershaft pinion operatively connected to the control gear bydirect meshing or through an even number of intermediate gears, belts orchains so that the countershaft pinion and control gear rotate inopposite directions;

a countershaft keyed to the countershaft pinion, the countershaftextending parallel to the drive shaft; and

a speed variating mechanism mounted between the first shaft and thecountershaft to adjustably vary the relative speed of the countershaftwith respect to the first shaft.

With such a structural arrangement, power is transmitted from thecrank-gear to the first shaft of the speed transmission unit; then fromthe first shaft to the second shaft of the speed transmission unitthrough the same; and finally from the second shaft to the rear hubsprocket through the chain, any adjustment of the speed variatingmechanism to cause the countershaft to rotate at a given speed or nospeed relative to the first shaft providing a corresponding positiveadjustment of the speed of the second shaft and thus of the rear hubsprocket relative to the speed of the first shaft and thus of thecrank-gear.

Advantageously, the crank-gear may be connected to a sprocket keyed ontothe first shaft by another chain to allow the variable speedtransmission unit to be mounted onto the bicycle at a distance away fromthe crank-gear.

The present invention also proposes a variant to the above recitedstructure. According to this variant, an improved bicycle is provided,having a crank-gear, a rear hub sprocket, chain means for transmittingpower from the crank-gear to the rear hub sprocket and means for varyingthe speed ratio of the crank-gear to the rear hub sprocket, wherein thespeed ratio varying means consists of an infinitely adjustable, variablespeed transmission unit comprising:

a first shaft;

an output sprocket keyed onto the first shaft, the output sprocket beingoperatively connected to the rear hub sprocket by a chain forming partof the chain means;

a sun gear fixed to the first shaft;

at least two planetary pinions meshed with the sun gear, the planetarypinions being freely mounted onto spindles forming part of a pinioncarrier;

a second shaft keyed to the pinion carrier, the second shaft beingcoaxial with the first one and operatively connected to, and driven bythe crank-gear;

a ring gear freely mounted onto any of the first and second shafts, thering gear extending over and meshing with the planetary pinions;

a control gear fixed to the ring gear;

a countershaft pinion operatively connected to the control gear bydirect meshing or through an even number of intermediate gears, belts orchains so that the countershaft pinion and control gear rotate inopposite directions;

a countershaft keyed to the countershaft pinion, the countershaftextending parallel to the first shaft; and

a speed variating mechanism mounted between the first shaft and thecountershaft to adjustably vary the relative speed of the countershaftwith respect to the first shaft.

Power is transmitted from the crank-gear to the second shaft of thespeed transmission unit; then from the second shaft to the first shaftof the speed transmission unit through the same; and finally from thefirst shaft to the rear hub sprocket through the chain, any adjustmentof the speed variating mechanism to cause the countershaft to rotate ata given speed or no speed relative to the first shaft providing acorresponding positive adjustment of the speed of the first shaft andthus of the rear hub sprocket relative to the speed of the second shaftand thus of the crank-gear.

Advantageously, the crank-gear may also be connected to the second shaftby another chain to allow the variable speed transmission unit to bemounted onto the bicycle at a distance away from the crank-gear.

The present invention also proposes an improved automotive transmissionsystem for use in a motor vehicle, which system comprises an infinitelyadjustable, variable speed transmission unit comprising:

a first shaft operatively connected to the motor of the vehicle;

a sun gear fixed to the first shaft;

at least two planetary pinions meshed with the sun gear, the planetarypinions being freely mounted onto spindles forming part of a pinioncarrier;

a second shaft keyed to the pinion carrier, the second shaft beingcoaxial with the first shaft;

a ring gear freely mounted onto any of the first and second shafts, thering gear extending over and meshing with the planetary pinions;

a control gear fixed to the ring gear;

a countershaft pinion operatively connected to the control gear throughone or any other odd number of intermediate gear(s), belt(s) or chain(s)so that the countershaft pinion and control gear rotate in the samedirection;

a countershaft keyed to the countershaft pinion, the countershaftextending parallel to the first shaft; and

a speed variating mechanism mounted between the drive shaft and thecountershaft to adjustably vary the relative speed of the countershaftand the first shaft.

The automotive transmission system according to the invention alsocomprises a standard, two-speed and reverse gear box directly connectedto the second shaft of the variable speed transmission unit.

In use, any power input applied by the motor to the first shaft is splitinto two streams merging on the pinion carrier and second shaft, onepassing through the speed variating mechanism, countershaft and ringgear, the other directly through the sun gear. Moreover, stepless ratiocontrol is achieved with a large power input and a very simple gear box.

Preferably, the ratio of the radius of the planetary pinions to theradius of the sun gear of the transmission unit is ranging between 0.3and 0.5, and is preferably equal to 0.5 in order to allow maximum powertransmission while remaining with a practical and efficient size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood upon reading the followingnon-restrictive description given in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section view showing the basic components ofthe variable speed transmission unit used in the bicycle and automotivetransmission system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automatic belt tensioning device foruse in the unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a bicycle according to theinvention, incorporating a variable speed transmission unit as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, mounted on the bicycle frame at a distance away from thecrank-gear;

FIG. 5a is a schematic representation of the driving components of thebicycle according to the invention as shown in FIG. 4, showing thevariable speed transmission unit in cross section;

FIGS. 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e are schematic representations similar to the oneof FIG. 5a, showing practical alternative configurations that may beused to achieve the same purpose;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing the components ofan automotive transmission system according to the invention,incorporating a variable speed transmission unit slightly different fromthe one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram giving the speed of a motor vehicle equipped with atransmission system as shown in FIG. 6, as a function of the speed ofthe motor (expressed in rotations per minute); and

FIG. 8 is a diagram related to the one of FIG. 7, giving the value ofthe input speed to output speed ratio of the transmission unit as afunction of the speed of the motor vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The variable speed transmission units used in the bicycle and automotivetransmission system according to the present invention contain, numeroussimilar structural components. For the purpose of consistency, the samecomponents have been identified with the same reference numerals in allthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

The variable speed transmission unit 1 used in the improved bicycleaccording to the invention as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5a to 5d, isbetter shown in different proportions in FIGS. 1 and 2. It basicallycomprises a first shaft 3 provided with a sun gear 5 at one end. It alsocomprises two or more planetary pinions 7 freely mounted on spindles 9projecting from a pinion carrier or spider 11. The pinions 7 aresymmetrically positioned around the sun gear 5 with the teeth of thepinions 7 intermeshing with those of the sun gear 5. The pinion carrier11 is keyed to a second shaft 13 aligned with the first shaft 3.

The variable transmission unit 1 further comprises a ring gear 15provided with teeth on its internal face. The ring gear 15 is mountedonto the first shaft 3 by means of a bearing 17 that makes it free torotate on its own. It should be understood however that the ring gear 15could also be freely mounted on the second shaft 13 as the latter is inline with the first shaft 3.

The ring gear 15 extends over the planetary pinions 7 and has itsinternal teeth meshed with the teeth of these pinions 7. A control gear19 which is separate from the ring gear 15 is coaxially positioned withrespect to the ring gear 15 and rigidly fixed thereto in order to rotatetherewith about the first shaft 3.

The teeth extending over the external periphery of the control gear 19mesh with the teeth of a countershaft pinion 21 keyed to a countershaft23 extending parallel to the first shaft 3.

A speed variating mechanism 25, is mounted between the first shaft 3 andcountershaft 23 to adjustably vary the relative speed of thesecountershaft and drive shaft.

In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the speedvariating mechanism which is numbered 25 comprises a pair of pulleys 27and 29 respectively mounted on the drive shaft 3 and countershaft 23 insuch a manner as to extend in a same plane perpendicular to the driveshaft and countershaft axes. The pulleys 27 and 29, consist of variablepitch sleeves on which an endless belt 31 is frictionally engaged. Means33 of conventional structure are provided for controllably adjusting thepitch of at least one of the variable sheaves. These means which mayinclude, for example, a small endless screw operated by an electricalmotor, are used for adjusting the pitch of only one of the sheaves,namely the one numbered 29, while the pitch of the other sheave 27 isautomatically adjusted by means of a spring. This particular arrangementwhich is known per se allows the belt 31 to be shifted in one or theother direction and vary the rotational speeds of the pulleys withrespect to each other.

Other mechanisms known per se may also be used to achieve the sameresult. By way of example, use can be made of pivot links connected toboth sheaves so that when one is going in, the other is going out, withboth of them remaining perpendicular to the axes of their respectiveshafts (see FIG. 5). Use can also be made of a hydraulic, variable speeddrive of any conventional structure, or of a variable speed motor.

The variable speed transmission unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is ratherconventional except for the control gear 19 which, according to theinvention, is separate from the ring gear 15. This unit 1 operates asfollows.

Assuming that the first shaft 3 is driven at a constant speed and thering gear 15 is locked in stationary position, the pinions 7 roll on theinternal surface of the ring gear 15 and transmit their angular speed tothe pinion carrier 11, thereby driving the second shaft 13 at the samespeed.

Assuming now that the first shaft 3 is driven anticlockwisely at aconstant speed and the ring gear 15 is allowed to rotate clockwisely asshown with arrows in FIG. 2, the planetary pinions 7 will rotateclockwisely about their axes and the pinion carrier 11 will rotateanticlockwisely at a lower speed dependent on the rotational speed ofthe ring gear 15. Then, the unit 1 will operate as any conventional sunand planet gear reductor.

Provided that the ring gear 15 rotates at the same pitch line velocityas the sun gear 5, the planetary pinions 7 will rotate about their axesbut not move in an angular direction.

For any rotational speed of the ring gear 15 between these two limits,i.e. the one where it is locked in a stationary position and the onewhere it rotates at the same pitch line velocity as the sun gear 5, thesecond shaft 13 will rotate at some speed varying between the speed ofthe first shaft 3 and zero.

To make the unit 1 operative as disclosed hereinabove, it is quiteapparent that some resisting torque is required on the ring gear 15 toproduce equilibrium in the system. This torque may be applied by africtional brake. However, in such a case, the power absorbed by thebrake would be dissipated and wasted.

In the unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 such a waste is avoided by using a"power feedback" loop formed by the control gear 19, the countershaftgear 21, the countershaft 23 and the speed variating mechanism 25.Indeed, this loop which connects the ring gear 15 to the first shaft 3via the countershaft 23 causes the power resulting from the resistingtorque to be returned or "recirculated" to the first shaft 3 and to be"reabsorbed" by the same, the only power losses thus being due to thegear and belt friction.

Change in the speed of the countershaft 23 obtained by adjustment of thespeed variating mechanism 25 will cause a corresponding change in therotational speed of the ring gear 15 and, consequently, in the speed ofthe second shaft 13. In this connection, it should be noted that, forany given output arm torque, a corresponding value of the pitch lineforce will be required at the sun gear 5. As the power source suppliedonly that portion of the required force which corresponds to its powerand speed (according to the fixed gear ratio of the unit), theadditional force required for applying the requested torque will besupplied by the power recirculated through the countershaft 23 back intothe first shaft 3. Thus, as the gear ratio of the unit remains fixed,the torque on the sun gear 5 will be increased to provide the increasingoutput torque at decreasing speeds.

As can now be easily understood, the following advantages derive fromthe invention:

1) Any range of speed variation from the input speed value to 0 can beobtained, with speed change controlled during operation by a very simplespeed variating mechanism. Reverse rotation could even be achieved,although such is not required for a bicycle transmission.

2) Power transmission is positive since all members of the unit aremechanically connected.

3) The efficiency of the unit is that of a conventional gear drive unit,since the only power losses are those due to the gear, bearings and beltfriction.

Of course, different ratios for the sun gears, planetary pinions 7, ringgear 15, control gear 19 and countershaft pinion may be used to alterthe general characteristics and, in particular, the output value of theunit 1. As a matter of fact, the unit 1 may even be "reversed": powermay be supplied to the first shaft 3 to drive the second shaft 13 as wasdisclosed hereinabove, or, alternatively, power may be supplied to thesecond shaft 13 to drive the first shaft 3, with the same range ofspeeds.

As explained hereinabove, it has been found by the Applicant that theratio r_(p) /r_(d) (pitch radius of planetary pinions to pitch radius ofsun gear) must be as low as practically possible, preferably within 0.3to 0.5.

It may be understood that the actual torque will increase (if resistanceis applied) unit the belt or rope used in a speed variating mechanism 25slips. Such a slipping is of course the governing factor in the amountof torque that can be developed at low speed.

When use is made of a speed variating mechanism where power is small, nodifficulty will be encountered with the recirculation power. Then, ther_(p) /r_(d) ratio may be as small as 0.3. However, where large amountsof power must be transmitted at low speed-high output torque from thecountershaft 23 to the first shaft 3 by means of a belt or a rope, it isstill desirable to keep recirculation torque on the countershaft at aminimum. This calls for a minimum r_(p) /r_(d) ratio.

If higher ratio are required, it may be necessary to use an auxiliarygear reduction on the output shaft to allow high torques at low speeds.The gear reduction box used for this purpose can be designed to providedifferent output ratios such as a 1:1 ratio for fast speed and a lowerratio for low speed and high torque.

To keep the re-circulated torque on the countershaft to a minimum, usemay also be made of a ring gear having a small radius and/or a lowspeed.

When the speed variating mechanism is a belt driven device as is shownin the accompanying drawings, it may be necessary to avoid speedfluctuation which may occur due to slackness and slippage of the belt.For this purpose, an automatic belt tensioning device as shown in FIG. 3may be used to automatically maintain the belt under tension and thusprevent slippage.

In such a device, the pulley 29 on which the belt 31 winds is keyed ontoa shaft 35 which extends parallel to the first shaft 3 and countershaft23. The ends of the shaft 35 are rotatably mounted in bearings 37, 37'provided at the ends of a pair of connecting rods 39, 39' that arepivotably mounted at their other ends about the axis "A" of thecountershaft 23. Thus, the shaft 35 and pulley 29 are swingably mountedwith respect to the countershaft 23. Stop means 41 that may beadjustable may be used to limit the swing motion within a given angularrange.

The rotational motion of the countershaft 23 is transmitted to thepulley 29 by means of a first gear 43 keyed onto the countershaft 23 andmeshed with a second gear 45 of smaller diameter than the pulley 29,which second gear is keyed on the same shaft 35 as the pulley 29.Because of the gears 43, 45 the rotation directions of the countershaft23 and shaft 35 are inverted. To correct this discrepancy when therotation of the countershaft 23 must be the same direction as the one ofthe sun gear 5 and first shaft 3, a supplemental gear 49 may be mountedbetween the countershaft gear 21 and control gear 19.

As can be understood, rotation of the first gear 43 with thecountershaft 23 causes the shaft 45 to be swung via the second gear 45in a direction that may be so selected so to permanently tighten thebelt 39 while it is driven. As can also be understood, the tensionapplied to the belt 39 is automatically proportionate to the power beingtransmitted.

FIGS. 4 and 5a to 5e show a first practical application of the variablespeed transmission unit 1 disclosed hereinabove. In this applicationwhich forms one of the objects of the present invention, the unit 1 isincorporated into a bicycle in order to vary an adjust at will the speedratio of the crank gear to the hub sprocket of the rear wheel.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5a, the bicycle has a crank gear 51 including adriving gear 53 connected by a chain 69 to a sprocket 55 keyed onto thefirst shaft 3 of the unit 1 which is mounted onto the bicycle frame at adistance away from the crank gear 51 to be outside the circle of thepedals (see FIG. 4). An output sprocket 57 is keyed onto the secondshaft 13 of the unit 1 and is connected to the rear hub sprocket 59 ofthe rear wheel by means of a chain 61, as is known and commonly done.

The speed variating mechanism 33" of the unit 1 is of a type alreadymentioned hereinabove. It includes a pivot link 63 connected to bothsheaves and operable from the handle bar of the bicycle through a fingeroperable control knob 64 fixed to one end of the handle bar (see FIG.5), a cable 65 and a spring-biased lever 67.

In use, the bicycle rider is supposed to apply a constant physicaleffort to the locomotion and to change the transmission ratio using theunit 1 to suit different road conditions, i.e. flat, up or down.

The unit 1 is advantageously selected so that, on flat road, thetransmission ratio is somewhere between high and low; on up slope, thetransmission ratio is high, and the drive sprocket speed low; andon-down slope, the transmission ratio is low and the drive sprocketspeed high for all down grades.

To achieve such a variation of transmission ratio, the only control thatis required, is on the speed variating mechanism 33 of the unit 1, theratios of the various gears; pinions, sprockets, etc . . . beingpreadjusted to achieve the desired reduction or increase in speed/powertransmission.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a, the first shaft 3 and sun gear 5 isdriven from the bicycle pedals through a speed step-up sprocketarrangement of, say, 4:1. The output from the driven spider 11 ishowever lower in speed than the input. Accordingly, it is necessary toprovide a second step-up sprocket arrangement of, say, 5:1 in order toobtain the required road speed for the bicycle.

If use is made of a bicycle as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5a having thefollowing specifications:

    ______________________________________                                        1st chain drive ratio (from crank                                                                      4.5:1                                                gear 51 to first shaft 3)                                                     r.sub.p /r.sub.d ratio   0.33                                                 control gear/countershaft pinion                                                                       4.1                                                  ratio                                                                         variator range           2:1 to 1:2                                           2nd chain drive ratio (from output                                                                     5:1                                                  sprocket 57 to rear hub sprocket 59)                                          ______________________________________                                    

the following results will be obtained for a constant rotational speedof 33 r.p.m. applied to the pedals:

    ______________________________________                                        rotational speed of the first                                                                     148.5      r.p.m.                                         shaft 3                                                                       rotational speed of the second                                                                    low 9.5    r.p.m.                                         shaft 13            high 44.2  r.p.m.                                         rotational speed of rear hub                                                                      uphill 47.5                                                                              r.p.m.                                         sprocket 59         (4 M.P.H.)                                                                    flat road 220                                                                            r.p.m.                                                             (18 M.P.H.)                                               ______________________________________                                    

In such a case, the unit 1 is therefore designed to allow the rider topropel the bicycle at a speed of, say, 18 mph on a flat level paved roadat a pedal speed of 33 rpm, and at a minimum speed of 4 mph on a steepincline. The unit will provide for any intermediate position betweenthese extremes, the physical effort and pedal rotation remainingconstant at all road conditions.

An alternative configuration that may be used to achieve the samepurpose in a bicycle application is shown in FIG. 5b. In thisconfiguration, the unit 1 is "incorporated" into the structure of thecrank gear 51 with the second shaft 13 of the unit 1 extending throughthe same and acting as pedal driven shaft and the first shaft of theunit in the shape of a quill 3', coaxially mounted by means of bearings56 onto the pedals supporting the second shaft 13, the quill 3' drivingthe chain 61 and rear hub sprocket 59 via an output sprocket 57' keyedon it.

As can be understood, the spider 11 is driven from the pedals and theoutdrive is from the sun gear 5 keyed onto the quill-shaped, first shaft3'. In this case, the unit 1 does not reduce the speed but increases it.A set of speed step-up sprockets is eliminated and a reduced ratio ofspeeds is provided between the unit 1 and the driven road wheel.

If use is made of a bicycle as shown in FIG. 5b having the followingspecifications:

    ______________________________________                                        r.sub.p /r.sub.d ratio 0.33                                                   control gear/countershaft pinion                                                                     4:1                                                    ratio                                                                         variator range         2:1 to 1:2 and                                         chain drive ratio (from output                                                                       1:2                                                    sprocket 57' to rear hub sprocket                                             59)                                                                           ______________________________________                                    

the following results will be obtained for a constant rotational speedof 33 rpm applied to the pedals:

    ______________________________________                                        rotational speed of second                                                                         33         rpm                                           shaft 13                                                                      rotational speed of first                                                                          low 110    rpm                                           shaft 3'             high 516   rpm                                           rotational speed of rear hub                                                                       uphill 55  rpm                                           sprocket             (4.5 m.p.h.)                                                                  flat road 258                                                                            rpm                                                                (20 m.p.h)                                               ______________________________________                                    

Another alternative configuration that may be used is shown in FIG. 5c.This configuration is very similar to the one shown in FIG. 5b, exceptthat the pedals are not mounted on the second shaft 13 and thus do notdrive the unit 1 directly. Rather, the crank gear 51 is separated fromthe unit 1 as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5a and connected thereto through achain and sprocket arrangement. The resulting structure is mechanicallyvery much simplified as compared to the structure shown in FIG. 5b.

If use is made of a bicycle as shown in FIG. 5c having the followingspecifications:

    ______________________________________                                        1st chain drive ratio (from crank                                                                    1:1                                                    gear 51 to sprocket 55' keyed on                                              second shaft 13)                                                              r.sub.p /r.sub.d ratio 0.33                                                   control gear/countershaft                                                                            4:1                                                    pinion ratio                                                                  variator range         2:1 to 1:2 and                                         2nd chain drive ratio (from output                                                                   1:2                                                    sprocket 57' keyed on first shaft 3                                           to rear hub sprocket 59)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

the same results as above for the embodiment of FIG. 5b will be obtainedfor a constant rotational speed of 33 rpm applied to the pedals.

A further alternative configuration is shown in FIG. 5d. In thisparticular configuration as in the one shown in FIG. 5c, the crank gear51 is connected to a sprocket 55' keyed on the second shaft 13 by achain 69. In such a case however, the rear hub sprocket 59 is driven viathe chain 61 by an output sprocket 57" keyed onto the countershaft 23.This arrangement provides for a satisfactory range of speed on the unit1 which a reduced range of speed required from the variator.

If use is made of a bicycle as shown in FIG. 5d having the followingspecifications:

    ______________________________________                                        1st chain drive ratio (from crank                                                                     1:1                                                   gear 51 to sprocket 55' keyed on                                              second shaft 13)                                                              r.sub.p /r.sub.d ratio  0.33                                                  control gear/countershaft pinion                                                                      6:1                                                   ratio                                                                         variator range          2:1 to 1:1.66                                         2nd chain drive ratio (from output                                                                    1:1                                                   sprocket 57" keyed on countershaft                                            23 to rear hub sprocket 59)                                                   ______________________________________                                    

the following results will be obtained for a constant rotational speedof 33 rpm applied to the pedals:

    ______________________________________                                        rotational speed of second                                                                         33         rpm                                           shaft 13                                                                      rotational speed of first                                                                          low 51     rpm                                           shaft 3              high 270   rpm                                           rotational speed of rear hub                                                                       uphill 51  rpm                                           sprocket             (14.2 mph)                                                                    flat road 270                                                                            rpm                                                                (22 mph)                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Still a further alternative configuration is shown in FIG. 5e. In thisparticular configuration, the countershaft 23 of the unit 1 is part ofthe crank gear 51 and acts as the pedal driven shaft of this crank gear.The indrive is thus on the countershaft 23. The output sprocket 57connected by a chain (not shown) to the rear hub sprocket (not shown)can be keyed on either the first shaft 3 or the second shaft 13. Thisarrangement allows the pedal drive to be directly mounted on the unitthereby eliminating one set of sprockets and a chain (as in theembodiment shown in FIG. 5b).

Advantageously, a separation wall 71 may be provided inside the unit asis shown in FIG. 5e, to separate lubricated from non-lubricated areas.By the way, such a separation wall may be used in all the configurationsdisclosed hereinabove.

If use is made of a bicycle with a driving configuration as shown inFIG. 5e having the following specifications:

    ______________________________________                                        r.sub.p /r.sub.d ratio 0.33                                                   control gear/countershaft pinion                                                                     6.1                                                    ratio                                                                         variator range         2:1 to 1:2                                                                    or 2:1 to 1:15                                         ______________________________________                                    

the following results will be obtained for a constant rotational speedof 33 rpm applied to the pedals:

    ______________________________________                                        a)    if the output sprocket 57 is mounted on the                                   second shaft 13 and the chain drive ratio                                     of the output sprocket to the rear hub 5                                      sprocket is 10:1:                                                             rotational speed of the                                                                         low 4.85    rpm                                             output sprocket   high 21.4   rpm                                             rotational speed of the                                                                         uphill: 48.5                                                                              rpm                                             rear hub sprocket (4 m.p.h.)                                                                    level road: 214                                                                           rpm                                                               (17.5 m.p.h.)                                         b)    if the output sprocket 57 is mounted on the                                   first shaft 3 and the chain drive ratio of                                    the output sprocket to the rear hub sprocket                                  is 3:1:                                                                       rotational speed of the                                                                         low 16.5    rpm                                             output sprocket   high 66.0   rpm                                             rotational speed of the                                                                         uphill 49.5 rpm                                             rear hub sprocket (4 m.p.h.)                                                                    level road: 198                                                                           rpm                                                               (16 m.p.h.)                                           ______________________________________                                    

Adjustment of the unit 1 to road conditions may be manual or automatic.In the manual mode, the rider will adjust the knob 69 on the handle barto adjust the transmission whenever his or her physical effortincreases, so that the vehicle speed and physical effort are maintainedat the normal level.

In the automatic mode, the resistance to motion of the vehicle can bemeasured in several ways, such as:

1. by the chain tension in the chain drive to the rear wheel using, todo so, a sprocket mounted on a swing arm under spring tension, runningon the drive (tight) side of the chain, the arm moving with increasingor decreasing tension in the chain to set the variator condition and thepower applied at the pedal;

2. by a bubble type level or inclinometer which will register theincline and use an electrical contact to adjust the unit 1 to the properspeed; or

3. by a measurement of the pedal pressure which will readjust the unit 1when pedal pressure rises above the normal (level road) condition.

In general, manual adjustment will be preferable since it leaves allcontrol directly in the hands of the rider, and does not requirecalibration of the transmission unit to suit the physical effort desiredby the rider.

FIG. 6 shows another practical embodiment of the variable speedtransmission unit disclosed hereinabove. In this other application whichforms the second object of the present invention, the variable speedtransmission unit that is numbered 101 in FIG. 6 is used as anautomotive transmission system, in the place of the conventional manualsynchro-mesh gear boxes or torque converter assisted automatictransmissions which, with their great numbers of friction clutches(usually 7), one-way clutches (usually 4), planetary gear sets (usually3), lock-up clutch, oil pumps, sophisticated hydraulic system and thelike, give only a very limited number of ratios, 2, 3 or 5 in most ofthe cases.

The automotive transmission system which is shown in FIG. 6, and broadlyclaimed hereinafter incorporates the speed transmission unit 101 and anextremely simple gear box of a standard type, comprising two forwardspeed and a reverse. The resulting system thus provides two transmissiongear ranges which cover the complete range of the conventionalautomotive 4, 5 or 6 gear transmission. Its planetary gear set with itsspeed variating mechanism provides a synchronizing mechanism whichallows for stepless speed conversion over the full range from directdrive to low speed drive.

In effect, the transmission system according to the invention is thus avery simple and cheap mechanism which covers the full speed rangeachieved by the conventional automotive transmission but with the addedadvantage of stepless speed control between gear changes and perfectroad speed control while motor operation is controlled at the mostefficient rotational speed for maximum fuel efficiency. All this isachieved at a greatly reduced manufacturing cost and reduced operatingand maintenance cost, by a very simple construction which eliminates themultiplicity of elements required in the conventional automotiveautomatic transmission.

More specifically, the speed transmission unit 101 used in thetransmission system according to the invention comprises substantiallythe same structural elements as the speed transmission unit 1 disclosedhereinabove. However, it differs from the previously disclosed unit 1 inthat its countershaft pinion 21 is operatively connected to the controlgear 19 through one or any odd number of intermediate gears, or chainsso that the countershaft pinion 21 and the control 19 rotate in the samedirection. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, such an operativeconnection is achieved with a single high torque drive belt 103.

Due to this particular connection whereby the ring 15 fixed to thecontrol gear 19 revolve in the same direction as the sun gear 5 of theplanetary system, the input power applied to the first shaft 3 by amotor engine connected thereto is split into two streams merging on thepin carrier (spider) 11, one of the streams passing through the speedvariating mechanism, the countershaft 23, the belt 103, the control gear19 and the ring gear 15 while the other stream passes directly throughthe sun gear 5. Of course, this configuration eliminates the possibilityof reducing the output speed to zero, while is the major characteristicof the unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. However, the unit 101 used in thissecond embodiment has the main advantages of providing a stepless ratiocontrol with a very large power input and a very simple gear box.

Another main advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is that only asmall amount of power is transmitted through the speed variationmechanism thereby making the transmission system very easy to controlwith a very simple equipment, contrary to any standard gear box.

The first shaft 3 of the speed transmission unit 101 can be operativelyconnected to the motor of the vehicle through an electromagnetic powderclutch 105 as is known per se. To widen the transmission ratio span asmuch as possible, the second shaft 13 of the unit 101 may be connectedto the driving shaft through a standard (two forward speed plus areverse) gear box of very simple structure comprising seven simplehelical gears Z1 to Z7, two jaw-clutches JC1 and JC2 and a pair ofoperating levers 107.

The resulting transmission system has exactly the same functions as itspresent counterparts. However, as aforesaid, it has a stepless ratiocontrol contrary to its counterpart which only have a very limitednumber of ratio. Moreover, as its structure is much simpler, it is muchless expensive.

Various examples of application will now be given.

EXAMPLE 1

Calculations were made for an industrial transmission unit as shown inFIG. 3, having the following specifications:

    ______________________________________                                        Number of teeth of the sun gear:                                                                       48                                                   Number of teeth of each planetary pinion:                                                              24                                                   Number of teeth on the internal surface of the                                                         96                                                   ring gear:                                                                    Number of teeth on the external surface of the                                                         90                                                   control gear:                                                                 Number of teeth on the countershaft pinion:                                                            24                                                   Speed of the drive shaft:                                                                              1,200  RPM                                           ______________________________________                                    

Required speed of the output shaft from 0 to 300 RPM and reverse.

Under these conditions using a speed variating mechanism as shown inFIG. 3, the following characteristics were achieved:

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                        Speed of                                                                              Speed of   Speed of         Speed of                                  the drive                                                                             the output the ring  Speed  the counter                               shaft   shaft      gear      variation                                                                            shaft                                     (RPM)   (RPM)      (RPM)     ratios (RPM)                                     ______________________________________                                        1200    295        159       2:1     597                                      1200     0         600         1:1.89                                                                             2255                                      1200    -23(reverse)                                                                             636       1:2    2390                                      ______________________________________                                    

The above Table shows that variations in the speed on the conicalpulleys of the speed variating mechanism 25' from 2 to 1, led tocorresponding variations in the speed of the output shaft of from 1/4 ofthe drive shaft speed to 0 and then to reverse.

EXAMPLE 2

Calculations were made for a bicycle transmission unit as shown in FIG.5.

In this example, the specifications of the unit per se weresubstantially identical to those given in example 1.

The specifications of the other elements were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Number of teeth of driving gear on crankshaft:                                                           14                                                 Number of teeth of reverse gear on output shaft:                                                         17                                                 Number of teeth of output sprocket on driving                                                            14                                                 shaft:                                                                        Number of teeth of rear hub sprocket:                                                                    17                                                 Ratio of number of teeth of planetary pinion to                                                          0.5                                                sun gear:                                                                     Speed ratio of ring gear control system:                                                                 1.0                                                ______________________________________                                    

Under such conditions, the following speed ratio characteristic wereachieved:

    ______________________________________                                        i.sub.v        0.5         1.454  2.0                                         (speed ratio of speed                                                         variating mechanism)                                                          i.sub.cvt      -1.0        -1/8   -∞                                    (speed ratio of the                                                           transmission unit)                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The total speed ratio of the bicycle (i.e. the ratio of the rotationalspeed np of the crank shaft to the rotational speed of the rear hubsprocket n_(w)) was as follows: ##EQU3##

EXAMPLE 3

Calculations were made on an automatic transmission system according tothe invention as shown in FIG. 6.

In this example as well as in FIGS. 7 and 8, the symbols that are usedhave the following meanings: ##EQU4## Phase I-Increase Speed (from point1 to point 2 in FIG. 7)

Assuming that the motor speed remains constant at the most efficientlevel of, say, 3000 rpm and the jaw clutch J.C.#1 is engaged with gearZ₄ (i_(gl) =1.875), the following datas are obtained:

Transmission output shaft speed at point 1 is 600 rpm.

Variator change: from 2.0 to 0.5

Transmission output shaft speed change: from 600 rpm to 1600 rpm.

At point 2, the fixed ratio i_(gl) change from 1.875 to 1.0. Then, thethrottle of the motor is partially closed but engine speed is maintainedat 3000 rpm (fast idle). The jaw clutch J.C.#1 may be disengaged fromgear Z₄ and the speed of Z₁ (3000 rpm) synchronized with thetransmission output shaft speed n_(A2) (1600 rpm), by changing thevariating mechanism ratio from 0.5 to 1.14. After such asynchronization, the jaw clutch J.C.#1 may be engaged with the gear Z₁(direct).

Phase II - Increase Speed (from point 2 to point 3 of FIG. 7)

The throttle opens for 3000 rpm (under load). Then, the clutch J.C.#1 isengaged with the gear Z₁. By changing the variating mechanism ratio from1.14 to 0.5, the output shaft speed n_(A) is brought from n_(A2) =1600rpm to n_(A3) =3000 rpm

Phase III - Reduce Speed

Things are happening in reverse manner. Variator ratios are changed from0.5 to 2.0, and at point 4, the gear Z₁ has to be speeded up from n_(Z1)(1125 rpm) to n_(Z1) (2110 rpm) to allow the speed of output shaftn_(A), in this case n_(A4) =1125 rpm. If n_(Z1) =2110 rpm; ##EQU5##Therefore engagement of the jaw clutch J.C.#1 and gear Z₄ becomespossible.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a bicycle having a crank-gear, a rear hubsprocket, chain means for transmitting power from the crank-gear to therear hub sprocket and means for varying the speed ratio of thecrank-gear to the rear hub sprocket, the improvement wherein said speedratio varying means comprises an infinitely adjustable, variable speedtransmission unit comprising:a first shaft; a sun gear fixed to saidfirst shaft; a pinion carrier having spindles; at least two planetarypinions meshed with the sun gear, said planetary pinions being freelymounted onto said spindles; a second shaft keyed to said pinion carrier,said second shaft being coaxial with the first one; a ring gear freelymounted onto one of said first and second shafts, said ring gearextending over and meshing with said planetary pinions; a control gearfixed to said ring gear; a countershaft, said countershaft extendingparallel to said first and second shafts; means to operatively connectthe crank-gear to the countershaft so that said countershaft be drivenby said crank-gear; a countershaft pinion keyed to said countershaft andoperatively connected to said control gear so that said countershaftpinion and control gear rotate in opposite directions; a speed varyingmechanism mounted between said first shaft and said countershaft toadjustably vary the relative speed of said countershaft with respect tosaid first shaft thereby varying torque applied to said control gear;and an output sprocket keyed onto any one of said first and secondshafts, said output sprocket being operatively connected to said rearhub sprocket by a chain forming part of said chain means.
 2. Theimproved bicycle of claim 1, wherein said crank-gear has a pedal-drivenshaft which consists of said countershaft.
 3. The improved bicycle ofclaim 2, wherein the speed varying mechanism comprises:a pair of pulleysrespectively mounted onto the first shaft and the countershaft in acommon plane, at least one of said pulleys comprising a variable pitchsheave; an endless belt mounted onto said pulleys; and means foradjusting the pitch of said at least one variable pitch sheave.
 4. Theimproved bicycle of claim 3, wherein said means for adjusting the pitchof said at least one variable pitch sheave is manually adjustable andincludes a finger-operable control knob mounted on the bicycle handlebar.
 5. The improved bicycle of claim 4, wherein the ratio of the radiusof the planetary pinions to the radius of the sun gear of thetransmission unit is within the range of between 0.3 and 0.5.
 6. Theimproved bicycle of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the radius of theplanetary pinions to the radius of the sun gear of the transmission unitis within the range of between 0.3 and 0.5.